For Patti Tricomi of Howland and her children, the event is a tradition.

“I love the crafts and all the artwork. It’s beautiful,“ she said. “You can get great gifts.”

The trio purchased a couple of necklaces and were eyeing some rings that 18-year-old Rachel Tricomi liked.

Every year, the family finds things they love.

“There’s jewelry, all kinds of earrings, necklaces,” Patti said. “They had silk poinsettia plants last year, ceramics, just all kinds of things. Scarves, you name it.”

They particularly enjoy the one-of-kind aspect of the items, she said.

Rachel, now an interior-design student at Kent State University, has been attending the show since she was very young.

“I like it a lot,” she said. “And we usually get stuff every year for people.”

Patti joked that son Michael, 22, comes along for lunch.

“I like coming,” he said. “It’s fun. I like the artwork and seeing all the stuff here. There’s some really beautiful pictures here and crafts. I always like seeing the creative pieces they have.”

And though many of the same artists make an appearance each year, there’s always something new to see, he noted.

“We bring in a lot of local vendors, and it’s free to the public,” said Evan James, president of the student art association. “And it’s just a nice way to get some local crafts and purchase something nice for your family,”

This is the second year the graphic-design major has been involved.

“I think it’s great to interact with the community. It’s nice to survey everyone else’s work and see what other artists are doing and to get their support through the donations that they do,” he said.

Most vendors donated a piece of art to raffle off. A bake sale also was part of the event.

Valerie Spitaler, a 1996 YSU graduate, participated for the first time.

Spitaler graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in design. She makes polymer clay jewelry.

The show’s “been wonderful. It’s a wonderful crowd,” she said. “I’ve always loved YSU and the art department, and I’m so happy to come back and be a part of it a little bit.”